Bubble making toy



June 18, 1963 N. A. GREENE BUBBLE MAKING TOY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 6, 1961 ATTOP/VEKF June 18, 1963 N. A. GREENE 3,093,925

BUBBLE MAKING TOY Filed Feb 6, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3

United States Patent Office 3,393,925 Patented June 18, 1963 3,093,925 BUBBLE MAKING TOY Norman A. Greene, New Rochelle, N.Y. (101 W. 55th St., New York 19, N.Y.) Filed Feb. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 87,203 8 Claims. (Cl. 46--'8) This invention relates tote bubble making toys.

The primary object of the present invention is to generally improve such toys. A more particular object is to provide a toy having a head with openable jaws which simulatedly blows bubbles through the open jaws or mouth.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy which includes a long stick-like member which may rest on the floor, the toy being operated by reaction against the floor. The toy then may be used also as a hobby horse or like device. The toy includes a bellows, and in accordance with a further feature and object of the invention, the bellows is located at the lower end of the stick, quite remote from the point where bubbles are emitted, thereby making the operation of the toy somewhat mystifying and therefore more entertaining.

To accomplish the foregoing general objects, and other more specific objects which will hereinafter appear, my invention resides in the toy elements and their relation one to another as are hereinafter more particularly described in the following specification. The specification is accompanied by drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the toy in opera- Ition;

FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned elevation, drawn to larger scale, with the jaws shown in open position;

FIG. 3 is a similar view, drawn to still larger scale, with the jaws shown in closed position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken approximately in the plane of the line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical view taken approxi mately in the plane of the line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to FIG. 1, the bubble making toy comprises a bellows 12, a tubular stick 14 having its lower end secured to the upper end of the bellows, and a simulated head 16 is mounted on the upper end of the tubular stick 14. A handlebar 18 is disposed cross-wise of the toy for manipulation of the same. The stick 14 is preferably a long tube or pipe, so that the toy has an overall length of about three feet, thus making it suitable to be used with the bellows =12 reacting against the floor. In the present case the head simulates that of a burro or donkey, and a child may use the toy as a hobby horse, with the stick disposed between his legs, and with his hands grasping the handlebar 18. When the toy is pressed downward against the floor it emits a stream of bubbles, as indicated at 20.

The compression of the bellows is shown in FIG. 2 by the change from the broken line position 12' to the solid line position 12. The bottom of the bellows preferably has a downward projection or foot 15.

The head 16 preferably comprises pivoted upper and lower jaws 22 and 24. The toy is so arranged that when the handlebar is pressed downward the jaws open widely, as shown by the change [from FIG. 3 to FIG 2. The bubble making mechanism is preferably disposed inside the head, and is operated at the same time that the jaws are opened, so that the stream of bubbles appears to come from the open mouth of the head.

Considering the arrangement in greater detail, and referring next to FIG. 3 of the drawing, the toy comprises a piston-like slide 26 which is slidable in the toys, and more particularly upper end of the stick 14, and which is in flow communi cation with the bellows through the hollow stick for upward movement in response to air compression when the bellows is squeezed. There is also a well 28 for bubble solution, this being secured to the upper end of the stick. A dip ring 30 is carried by the slide 26, in this case by a curved arm 32 secured to the upper end of the slide by means of a cap 34. The dip ring is moved into or out of the well 28, as shown by the change from FIG. 3 to FIG. 2 of the drawing.

There is also an air hole 49 which is normally closed by the slide 26, as indicated in FIG. 3, but which is opened for air discharge when the slide moves all the way up as shown in FIG. 2. At this time the dip ring 30 is raised out of the well 28 to a position in front of the air discharge hole, so that bubbles are blown from the rmg.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower jaw 24 in this case is a fixed jaw which is rigidly secured to the upper end of the tubular stick 14, as shown at 42. The upper jaw 22 is pivoted on the lower jaw for movement between a closed position shown in FIG. 3, and a wide open position shown in FIG. 2. This pivoting of the upper jaw takes places about an axis 76 (FIG. 3).

The sides of the lower jaw are extended upwardly at 74 to provide bearings with holes which register with holes in the side walls of the upper jaw. Plugs 76 are snapped into position on each side of the head to act as bearing studs or trunnions. Their outer ends may be seen at 76 in FIG. 1, and are made to look like an ornament on the bridle or harness of the animal.

The handlebar 18 (FIG. 3) is located behind the pivot of the head, and consists of two separate halves or sticks projecting outwardly from the sides of the upper jaw. They may be cemented in mating sockets, or may be molded integrally. It will be evident that their downward movement causes opening of the jaws immediately preceding, or practically simultaneously with, compression of the bellows.

Considering the arrangement in greater detail, the bellows 12 may plastics material, and may be molded in one piece by the blow molding process commonly used for flexible bottles or the like. The upper end of the bellows is provided with a neck 44, and this is received in a collar 46 formed at the lower end of the stick 14. If desired, a side opening may be provided at 48, and this is fitted with a vibratory sound producing reed of the type used in doll voices or criers. In such case the toy produces a sound as it is operated, thus enhancing the pleasure of a child playing with a toy. The sound may be produced during bubble blowing, that is by downward pressure, there being adequate air to operate the slide and soundproducing device, and to blow the desired stream of bubbles. However the sound producing reed may be so directed as to function during expansion rather than contraction of the bellows, in which case the sound is produced between the bubble blowing operations.

Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawing, the lower jaw 24 is molded integrally with a tubular socket portion 42, previously referred to. This is stepped at 50 to limit the insertion of the tube 14. A fixed collar 52 slidably receives the slide 26, and the latter is held against rotation, as by means of a guide key 56 formed on the slide and received in a mating groove in the collar 52. The latter is secured in the upper end of the socket 42. The parts 14, 42, and 52 all may be permanently secured together by use of an appropriate solvent or cement. The parts may be made of a suitable plastics molding material.

The collar 52 serves to limit the upward movement of be made of polyethylene or like flexible the slide 26, the latter having an enlargement or flange 58 at its lower end. In assembling the toy the slide is passed upward through the collar 52, following which.

the cap 34 of the dip ring 30 is secured to the upper end of the slide. Here again the key 56 serves to properly orient the dip ring, to insure that it will remain in alignment with the well 28 and the air discharge hole 40. The latter passes through the collar 52, and is located somewhat below the position of the lower end of the slide when the slide is in its upper position, as shown in FIG. 2.

The well 28 may be and preferably is molded integrally with a collar 60 which is received about the upper end of the socket 42. It is also molded integrally with a concave surface or top wall 62 and an edge wall 64 which simulate the tongue and teeth respectively of the lower jaw 24. The well 28 may be enlarged near the top as shown at 66, and may be fitted with a cover 68 having an elliptical opening 76 which is large enough to freely receive the dip ring 30; as is best shown in FIG. 4.

The upper portion of the head overlaps the lower portion as shown in 'FIG. 3, and there is adequate clearance at the back to afford the opening movement shown in FIG. 2, at which time the rear portions of the head are greatly overlapped. The head may be provided with simulated eyes and ears, and the latter may be made of a relatively soft or limp material, as shown, so that they tend to fly about as the jaws are opened and closed.

In the present toy the sole operative connection between the bellows and the dip ring is provided by air compressed by the bellows. This raises the slide 26 which in turn raises the dip ring, following which a continued supply of air is blown through the then exposed air discharge hole 40 toward and through the dip ring 30. The latter is coated with bubble solution because of its previous immersion in the well. The upper jaw is opened by the direct downward movement of the handlebar 18.

However, it will be evident that many changes may be made. For example, the handlebar 18 could be secured to the lower jar, or directly to the stick 14, so that it serves solely to compress the bellows. In such case a link or other connection between the upper end of the slide and the upper jaw would serve to raise the upper jaw, such link extending to a point forward of the pivot 76. Alternatively, the pivot 76 could be moved back to a position behind the slide, say at the present location of the handle 18, in which case the upper end of the slide could be connected directly to the upper jaw, as by means of a horizontal cross pin to the sides of the upper jaw, or a vertical link to the top of the upper aw.

If desired a thin strut or link may extend from the bottom of the bellows through the tube 14 to the slide, in which case the raising of the upper jaw or/ and the dip ring will be performed mechanically. However, the supply of air caused by the compression of the bellows will serve to blow the bubbles, and incidentally to operate the sound-producing reed.

It is believed that the construction and methodv of operation of my improved bubble making toy, as well as the advantages thereof, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. It will also be understood that'while I have shown and described the invention in a preferred form, changes may be made in the structure shown without departing from the scope of the invention, as sought to be defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A bubble making toy comprising a bellows, a tubular stick having its lower end secured to the upper end of the bellows, a simulated head having pivoted upper and lower jaws, said head being secured to the upper end of the tubular stick, a slide disposed slidably in the upper end of the stick within the bead and in communication with the bellows through the stick for upward movement when the bellows is squeezed, means serving to open the jaws when the stick is pushed downward and the bellows is squeezed by said downward movement of the stick, a well for bubble solution secured inside the head, a dip ring carried by the slide for movement into or out of the well, a constricted air discharge hole in the upper end of the stick inside the head and normally closed by the slide but opened for air discharge when the slide moves upward, at which time the dip ring is raised out of the well to a position in front of the air discharge hole thereby emitting a stream of bubbles through the space between the open jaws.

2. A bubble making toy intended for operation by a child in erect position, said toy comprising a bellows intended for contact with the floor, a long tubular stick having its lower end secured to the upper end of the bellows, a simulated animal head having pivoted upper and lower jaws, said head being secured to the upper end of the tubular stick, a slide disposed slidably in the upper end of the stick within the head and in communication with the bellows through the stick for upward movement when the bellows is squeezed against the floor by means of the stick, means serving to open the jaws when the stick is pushed downward and the bellows is squeezed by said downward movement of the stick, a well for bubble solution secured inside the head, a dip ring carried by the slide for movement into or out of the well, a constricted air discharge hole in the upper end of the stick inside the head and normally closed by the slide but opened for air discharge when the slide moves upward, at which time the dip ring is raised out of the well to a position in front of the air discharge hole thereby emitting a stream of bubbles through the space between the open jaws, and the aforesaid means including a handlebar disposed crosswise of the toy at the head for manipulation of the toy.

3. A bubble making toy comprising a bellows, a tubular stick having its lower end secured to the upper end of the bellows, a simulated head having pivoted upper and lower jaws, said head being secured to the upper end of the tubular stick, a piston-like slide disposed slidably in the upper end of the stick within the head and in flow communication with the bellows through the stick for upward movement by air compressed when the bellows is squeezed, meansserving to open the jaws when the stick is pushed downward and the bellows is squeezed by said downward movement of the stick, a well for bubble solution secured inside the head, a dip ring carried by the slide for movement into or out of the well, a constricted air discharge hole in the upper end of the stick inside the head and normally closed by the slide but opened for air discharge when the slide moves upward, at which time the dip ring is raised out of the well to a position in front of the air discharge hole thereby emitting a stream of bubbles through the space between the open jaws.

4. A bubble making toy intended for operation by a child in erect position, said toy comprising a bellows intended for contact with the floor, a long tubular stick having its lower end securedto the upper end of the bellows, a simulated animal head having pivoted upper and lower jaws, said head being secured to the upper end of the tubular stick, a piston-like slide disposed slida; bly in the upper end of the stick within the head and in flow communication with the bellows through the stick for upward movement by air compressed when the bellows is squeezed against the floor by means of the stick, means serving to open the jaws when the stick is pushed downward and the bellows is squeezed by said downward movement of the stick, a well for bubble solution secured inside the head, a dip ring carried by the slide for movement into or out of the well, a constricted air discharge hole in the upper end of the stick inside the head and normally closed by the slide but opened for air discharge when the slide moves upward, at which time the dip ring is raised out of the well to a position in front of the air discharge hole thereby emitting a stream of bubbles through the space between the open jaws, and the aforesaid means including a handlebar disposed crosswise of the toy at the head for manipulation of the toy.

5. A bubble making toy comprising a bellows, a tubular stick having its lower end secured to the upper end of the bellows, a simulated head having a fixed lower jaw secured to the upper end of the tubular stick and having an upper jaw pivoted on the lower jaw for movement between a closed position and an open position, a. piston-like slide disposed slidably in the upper end of the stick within the head and in communication with the bellows through the stick for upward movement when the bellows is squeezed, means to open the upper jaw when the stick is pushed downward and the bellows is compressed by said downward movement of the stick, a well for bubble solution secured inside the lower jaw, a dip ring carried by the slide for movement into or out of the well, a constricted air discharge hole in the upper end of the stick inside the head and normally closed by the slide but opened for air discharge when the slide moves upward, at which time the dip ring is raised out of the well to a position in front of the air discharge hole thereby emitting a stream of bubbles through the space between the open jaws.

6. A bubble making toy intended for operation by a child in erect position, said toy comprising a bellows intended for contact with the floor, a long tubular stick having its lower end secured to the upper end of the bellows, a simulated animal head having a fixed lower jaw secured to the upper end of the tubular stick and having an upper jaw pivoted on the lower jaw for movement between a closed position and an open position, a piston-like slide disposed slidably in the upper end of the stick within the head and in communication with the bellows through the stick for upward movement when the bellows is squeezed against the floor by means of the stick, means to open the upper jaw when the stick is pushed downward and the bellows is compressed by said downward movement of the stick, a well for bubble solution secured inside the lower jaw, a dip ring carried by the slide for movement into or out of the well, a constricted air discharge hole in the upper end of the stick inside the head and normally closed by the slide but opened for air discharge when the slide moves upward, at which time the dip ring is raised out of the well to a position in front of the air discharge hole thereby emitting a stream of bubbles through the space between the open jaws, and the aforesaid means including a handlebar disposed crosswise of the toy at the head for manipulation of the toy.

7. A bubble making toy comprising a bellows, a tubular stick having its lower end secured to the upper end of the bellows, a simulated head having a fixed lower jaw secured to the upper end of the tubular stick and having an upper jaw pivoted on the lower jaw for movement between a. closed position and an open position, a slide disposed slidably in flow communication with the bellows through the stick for upward movement by air compressed when the bellows is squeezed, a handlebar disposed crosswise of the upper jaw at a point behind the pivot of the upper jaw to open the jaws and to compress the bellows, a well for bubble solution, a dip ring carried by the slide for movement into or out of the well, a constricted air discharge hole in the upper end of the stick inside the head and normally closed by the slide but opened for air discharge when the slide moves upward, at which time the dip ring is raised out of the well to a position in front of the air discharge hole thereby emitting a stream of bubbles through the space between the open jaws.

8. A bubble making toy intended for operation by a child in erect position, said toy comprising a bellows intended for contact with the floor, a long tubular stick having its lower end secured to the upper end of the bellows, a simulated animal head having a fixed lower jaw secured to the upper end of the tubular stick and having an upper jaw pivoted on the lower jaw for movement between a closed position and an open position, a slide disposed slidably in the upper end of the stick within the head and in flow communication with the bellows through the stick for upward movement by air compressed when the bellows is squeezed against the floor by means of the stick, a handlebar disposed crosswise of the upper jaw at a point behind the pivot of the upper jaw to open the jaws and to compress the bellows, a well for bubble solution secured inside the lower jaw, a dip ring carried by the slide for movement into or out of the well, a constricted air discharge hole in the upper end of the stick inside the head and normally closed by the slide but opened for air discharge when the slide moves upward, at which time the dip ring is raised out of the well to a position in front or" the air discharge hole thereby emitting a stream of bubbles through the space between the open jaws.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,853,829 Greene Sept. 30, 1958 2,916,849 Lemelson Dec. 15, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 132,950 Great Britain Oct. 2, 19 19 

1. A BUBBLE MAKING TOY COMPRISING A BELLOWS, A TUBULAR STICK HAVING ITS LOWER END SECURED TO THE UPPER END OF THE BELLOWS, A SIMULATED HEAD HAVING PIVOTED UPPER AND LOWER JAWS, SAID HEAD BEING SECURED TO THE UPPER END OF THE TUBULAR STICK, A SLIDE DISPOSED SLIDABLY IN THE UPPER END OF THE STICK WITHIN THE HEAD AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE BELLOWS THROUGH THE STICK FOR UPWARD MOVEMENT WHEN THE BELLOWS IS SQUEEZED, MEANS SERVING TO OPEN THE JAWS WHEN THE STICK IS PUSHED DOWNWARD AND THE BELLOWS IS SQUEEZED BY SAID DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF THE STICK, A WELL FOR BUBBLE SOLUTION SECURED INSIDE THE HEAD, A DIP RING CARRIED BY THE SLIDE FOR MOVEMENT INTO OR OUT OF THE WELL, A CONSTRICTED AIR DISCHARGE HOLE IN THE UPPER END OF THE STICK INSIDE THE HEAD AND NORMALLY CLOSED BY THE SLIDE BUT OPENED FOR AIR DISCHARGE WHEN THE SLIDE MOVES UPWARD, AT WHICH TIME THE DIP RING IS RAISED OUT OF THE WELL TO A POSITION IN FRONT OF THE AIR DISCHARGE HOLE THEREBY EMITTING A STREAM OF BUBBLES THROUGH THE SPACE BETWEEN THE OPEN JAWS. 